Superintendent George P. Beach II welcomed 226 new members of the New York State Police as they graduate from the 204th session of the Basic School of the New York State Police Academy.
“After months of training, the 204th Basic School join the ranks of one of the finest police agencies in the world,” said New York State Police Superintendent George P. Beach II.
“For nearly 100 years the State Police have served and protected the citizens of New York. I congratulate all of our new Troopers and thank them for their continued dedication to the State Police and the people of New York.”
The graduation ceremony was held at the Empire State Plaza Convention Hall in Albany where the new troopers marched into the convention center in a procession led by the New York State Police Pipe and Drum band. The National Anthem was performed by Trooper Elizabeth Fallon and the ceremony included a video presentation of the training received by all members of the 204th Basic School Session.
In addition to honoring all graduates from the 204th Session of Basic School, Superintendent Beach presented the following awards:
Academic Achievement Award
As a special incentive for all students attending the State Police Academy Basic School, the Superintendent sponsors the awarding of a firearm for the attainment of the highest level of academic performance during Academy training.
The winner of the Academic Performance Award is Trooper Joseph A. Sparacino, a 27-year-old resident of Tonawanda, New York. Prior to joining the New York State Police, he was a Police Officer with the Town of Tonawanda Police Department. Throughout the Academy training program, he achieved an outstanding overall academic average of 99.3. He will be assigned to Troop E.
Firearms Proficiency Award
The New York State Trooper Foundation has sponsored the awarding of a firearm for the attainment of the highest level of performance in all phases of firearms training.
The winner of the Superintendent’s Firearms Proficiency Award is Trooper Michael R. Beck, age 30, of Auburn, New York. Prior to joining the New York State Police, he served as a corporal for nine years with the Cayuga County Sherriff’s Office. During firearms training, he fired an average score of 250 out of a possible 250. He will be assigned to Troop D.
Investigator Joseph T. Aversa Physical Fitness Award
The New York State Police Investigators Association has sponsored the awarding of a firearm for the attainment of the highest degree of physical fitness during the Physical Training Program at the Academy. This award will be presented in memory of deceased Investigator Joseph Aversa. Investigator Aversa made the ultimate sacrifice in New York City March 5, 1990, during a narcotics investigation while serving as a Member of the Joint Drug Enforcement Task Force. Investigator Aversa was a six-year State Police veteran who believed that physical conditioning was an integral part of being a Trooper.
The winner of the Joseph T. Aversa Physical Training Award is Trooper Jeffrey Blazek. He is 27 years old and resides in New Hartford, New York. Prior to entering the New York State Police Academy, he graduated from Utica College with a Bachelor Degree in Economic Crime Investigation. During the physical agility testing, he achieved the highest score of all 226 Members of the 204th Session, a tribute to his superb physical conditioning. He will be assigned to Troop B.
Student Representative
The New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association has sponsored the awarding of a firearm to the Member of the class who is selected by his or her peers to represent them during these exercises. The PBA presents the award in memory of Trooper John J. McKenna IV, who was killed in action in 2006, while serving his country as a Marine in Iraq.
Trooper Avery Katz has been chosen as the class representative. He is 34 years old and resides in Yorktown Heights, New York. Prior to joining the New York State Police, he graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh with a Bachelor Degree in Criminal Justice. He is currently an Executive Officer in the United States Marine Core Reserves. He will be assigned to Troop F.
Video sound bites with the members listed directly below are available on the New York State Police YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/nyspolice.
Trooper Joseph Sparacino – Tonawanda
Trooper Sparacino will be assigned to Troop E.
Trooper Daniel Arcadi – St. Regis Falls
Trooper Arcadi will be assigned to Troop B.
Trooper Arron Whitney – Endwell
Trooper Whitney will be assigned to Troop C.
Trooper Jeffrey Blazek – New Hartford
Trooper Blazek will be assigned to Troop B.
Trooper Olivia Beck – Rochester
Trooper Beck will be assigned to Troop D.
Trooper Edward Donohue – Middletown
Trooper Donohue will be assigned to Troop F.
Trooper James Oliveto – Ballston Spa
Trooper Oliveto will be assigned to Troop K.
Trooper Avery Katz – Yorktown Heights
Trooper Katz will be assigned to Troop F.
Trooper Kyle Shillingford – West Hempstead
Trooper Shillingford will be assigned to Troop F.
The new troopers will report for field duty on October 20, 2016. For the following 10 weeks the new troopers will be evaluated under a field-training program supervised by senior Field Training Officers.
Below is a list of field training Troop D assignments where graduates will begin field duty supervised by senior training officers. Included are the hometowns of the graduates.
Troop D – Oneida
Olivia R. Beck Auburn
Michael R. Beck Auburn
Andrew P. Caldiero Buffalo
Jason T. Gleason Hamburg
Jeffrey J. Gmerek Cheektowaga
Nathan M. Horner Liverpool
Waleed Javed Seneca Falls
Jacob W. Klock Wellsville
Richard T. Kosakowski Lee Center
Drew H. Lewandowski Tonawanda
Brian E. Locastro Auburn
Eric M. Lojba Herkimer
David W. Lyubezhanin Oriskany
Kyle J. Meyers Penn Yan
Timothy J. Nanry Rochester
Kyle M. Ready Boonville
Donald T. Schug III Camillus
Eric L. Sherman Oswego
Michael T. Siegfried Utica
William J. Siwy III Derby
Kyle L. Smith Wolcott
Ronald J. Solem Hamburg
Justin B. Weakley Cold Brook
Christopher D. Wyant Lockport
Congratulations to all members of the New York State Police for their new brothers and sisters who have joined their team to serve and protect all people who reside, sojourn or travel through the state of New York. Also, read ODMP.ORG daily and be safe always.